Contents
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Upcoming Activity:
What: LEGO Mindstorm Camp
When: July 14-24; 8:45am - 12:00pm
Where: Shannon Elementary
Why: Student Mentoring!
Be there!
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Robots
2008
The 2008 game, Overdrive, is one of the most unusual, and yet at the same time straightforward, of any that FIRST has ever created. Played on a track with an overpass crossing both finish lines overhead, robots can score by ball hurdling, ball herding, ball placement, and even by simply crossing the finish line. In an attempt to avoid the deadline issues we've had in the past, we designed this year's robot in a modular fashion, with each piece built and tested seperately from the others. Although this created fairly significant constraints on the design of the individual pieces, it heightened the diversity of the whole and prevented extraneous additions, and with a much greater degree of completeness than in previous years. With a four-motor drive train and a suprisingly effective ball hurdling device that relies on a cartoony, extending punching bag-like mechanism, this robot is something that we haven't seen in awhile: a machine that has multiple ways to score, and score effectively.
2007 Off-Season Project: Trash Can Robot
At the end of the 2007 season, we were left a bit disappointed. Our robot was well-built and had a lot of things going for it, but we had several issues with electronics, and our hard work and progress throughout the build season were unfortunately not reflected by our end ranking. Because of this, we decided to concoct an off-season project to boost morale and further develop the skills of our rookies and veterans. Behold the TRASH CAN ROBOT, a concept adapted from one of our team member's experiences at Disney World and finally completed after weeks of work. The final design features a sheet aluminum "body" secured to a three-tiered "core" assembly on which the drive train, lid-lifting mechanism, micro-controller, PA system, and other electrical components are mounted. The outside has a flashing RHS Robotics sign in LEDs, fire siren lights, and two protruding antennae. We have already demonstrated it to the principal of our school and to our main corporate sponsor, Special Products and Mfg. and it has reinvigorated us just in time for the 2008 build.
2007
Rack 'n Roll 
The 2007 game, "Rack 'n Roll", involves the manipulation of inflatable pool tubes onto a three-tiered octagonal prism. In addition to this, bonus points can be earned for every robot that is off the ground at the end of the match. In an attempt to take the best from both sides, we have constructed a three-tiered mast with a retractable arm and grabber, and a releasable ramp which other robots can drive up on for bonus points. Finally, we also have an innovative new drive train system utilizing three holonomic wheels placed at the center of the robot. We hope that it does well at the competition!
Ramp Design † Full Robot
2006
Aim High
The 2006 game, "Aim High", was particularly innovative, a high intensity match in which robots tried to launch, throw, roll, push, and drop balls into two low goals and one high one on either side of the playing field. To help achieve this, FIRST revealed a new device for the 2006 Kit of Parts, a camera that could track a green light mounted above each high goal. In order to achieve success, we decided to focus on a heavy-duty thrower based on the mechanics of a softball pitching machine. Although its massive weight prevented us from including a gathering mechanism and we barely made our ship date, we still managed to place 25th out of the about 50 teams that competed at the Lonestar Regional.
2005
Triple Play
In Triple Play, we had to place triangular pyramids called tetras on holders to gain points. In order to better handle the tetras, we designed a telescopic arm with a claw and stabilizing device attached to it. Though the claw did not always do exactly what we wanted it to, the design was very well balanced and had an excellent range.
2004
FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar
The 2004 game, FIRST Frenzy: Raising the Bar, involved handling small and large balls into different bins. While the small balls could then be used by human players to score points, the large ones acted as score multipliers. Also, at the end of the game, robots could lift themselves off the ground by grabbing a bar. Our primary strategy for this competition was to maximize our manipulation of the multiplier balls. Although it was very good at what we had designed it to do, it had a high center of gravity, which made it topheavy and unstable.
